Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Ajman record stronger deal volumes and increased investor activity.
Dubai: The UAE’s real estate sector made a strong start to 2026, with transaction volumes and values rising across all major emirates, highlighting sustained investor demand and continued momentum in the property market.
Data from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Ajman shows a broad-based rise in activity during the first quarter, supported by stronger investor participation and expanding deal volumes.
Dubai leads in volume and value
Dubai recorded continued strength in both transactions and investment activity. According to the Dubai Land Department, the market registered 718,160 real estate transactions in the first quarter, including 60,303 disposals, reflecting a 6 per cent increase compared to the same period last year.
The total value of transactions reached Dh252 billion, marking a 31 per cent year-on-year increase. Investment activity also strengthened, with 57,744 investments recorded—up 7 per cent—with a total value of Dh173 billion.
The number of investors rose to 48,448, marking an 8 per cent increase, including 29,312 new investors—up 14 per cent compared to the first quarter of 2025.
Abu Dhabi records highest quarterly performance
Abu Dhabi reported its strongest quarterly performance on record, with real estate transactions surging to Dh66 billion, compared to Dh25.31 billion in the same period last year, according to the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre.
The number of transactions climbed to 13,518 from 6,896 a year earlier, reflecting faster market activity and a significant increase in deal flow.
Sharjah sees rise in volumes and investor diversity
Sharjah’s property market also posted strong growth, with trading volume reaching Dh18.5 billion during the first quarter, up from Dh13.2 billion in the same period last year—representing a 40.7 per cent increase.
The number of transactions rose to 29,235, marking an 18.9 per cent year-on-year increase. Investor diversity also expanded, with buyers from 113 nationalities participating in the market, compared to 97 nationalities a year earlier.
UAE nationals accounted for around Dh9 billion of total trading value across 10,099 properties, while investors from GCC countries, Arab nationals, and other international buyers contributed approximately Dh9.5 billion across 19,136 properties.
Ajman maintains steady growth
Ajman recorded total real estate transactions worth Dh6.22 billion across 3,890 deals during the first quarter, marking a 12 per cent increase compared to the same period last year.
Trading activity reached Dh4.24 billion through 3,128 transactions, reflecting steady demand across the emirate’s property market.
The performance across all four emirates highlights sustained confidence in the UAE’s real estate sector, supported by stable demand, investor inflows, and ongoing development activity.
The data points to a market that continues to attract both local and international capital, with growth visible across transaction volumes, values, and investor participation.
